Torpedo



Nov. 20 1923.

F. E. P. UBERROTH TORPEDO Filed Feb. 15

Patented Nev. Z0, 1923.

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FRANK E. P. UBERRCTH, OF NEPORTr1 RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOVERN- MENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

TORPEDO.

Application led February 13, 1922.

T 0 all whom it may concer/7aA Be it known that l. FRANK P. BER- norr-, a citizen of the llnited States. residing' at Yi-wvport.` Rhode island. have invented new and useful Improvements in Torpedoes, ot which the following is a specilication.

This invention. relates to torpedoes and more particularly to the depth control mechanism thereof.

As is well-known to those familiar with the standard torpedo used in the Navy a mechanism is provided for regulating the depth at which the torpedo travels. rllhis mechanism or unit heretofore installed in torpedoes has.` in some cases. been open to the objection that it does not always keep the torpedo at av constant and uniform depth due to leakage ot the high pressure gases in the after-body ol the torpedo to the mechanism as well the increase in temperatures in the after-body. both ot which affect the delicate balance control mechanism for operating the depth control engine.

It is, therefore, one ol' the objects of the present invention to provide a simple and practical depth control mechanism which will be more reliable and etlicient than those now in use.

A further object is to provide a depth control mechanism which will, to a large extent, be unaffected by variations in pressures or temperatures in the afterbody ot the torpedo where this mechanism is usually located.

A further object is to provide a mechanism ot the above general character which may be easily and quickly installed, having relatively few parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and conveniently assembled.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the accompanying sheet ot drawings showing one of the various possible modifications, and in the several views of which corresponding parts are denoted by similar reference characters.

Referring to this sheet of drawings.

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of such parts of the mechanism as are necessary to understand the same.

Figure 2 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 2/2, Figure 1.

Serial No. 536,396.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, 5 denotes the outer shell ot the after-body ot a torpedo provided with a cylindrical member 6 forming with the shell 5 a chamber 7 which communicates through an opening 8 with the sea water through which the torpedo travels. Secured to the member e by bolts 10 is a plate 11 and between the parts 6 and 11 is a water-tight gasket 12. The upper part of the member 11 is provided with a flange 13 to which is screwed a tubular or cylindrical member 14 having a removable screw cap 15 at its upper part. These members constitute an outer chamber or casing protecting the inner mechanism hereinafter described both trom the high temperatures of the after-body and the increased pressure resulting from the exhaust gases of the engine. The part. 11 is also provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical flange 16 having a threaded cap 17 at the top provided with a gasket 18 and a downwardly extending` spindle guide 2O coacting with a recess 21 centrally disposed in a Vspindle 22 whereby the spindle may move up and down in a straight line under the action of a tension spring 23 and a diaphragm 24, which diaphragm is secured to the member 6 and a piston 27 carried by the lower end of the spindle 22.

The lower end ot the spindle .22 is threaded to accommodate the setting mechanism 28. which. in turn, is threaded upon the spindle 22. A water tight cap il() tits over the end of the setting mechanism.` The central part ot the piston 27 constitutes a member 31 to which are secured trunnions 32 carrying the depth control arms 38 at both sides. These arms. as is well known to those familiar with the art. extend in a tore and aft direction being` pivoted to a fixed support at one end and having a bell crank and lever mechanism pivotally connected at the opposite end for transmitting motion of the diaphragm to the depth control engine. I Heretot'ore the depth setting mechanism has been set from the opposite or top side of the torpedo but in this improved form herein shown and described. it is only necessary to remove the cap 30, turn the setting mechanism by means of a socket wrench or the like to move the spindle 22 up or down as desired thereby regulating the tension upon the spring 23. It is, of course,

to be understood that a suitable gage is associated with the depth setting mechanism or other means provided whereby trie proper rotation of the member 28 may be determined. The cap 30 is then replaced and on launching the torpedo the hydrostatic pressure ot the sea Water acting through the opening 8 in the shell 5 moves the diaphragm 24 un or down according to variations in the cepth at which the torpedo is traveling. This movement of the diaphra-gm is transmitted through the lever arms as previously explained.

lt is thus seen that the present invention provides a veiy simple and practical depth control mechanism vfell insulated from variations in temperature and pressure occurring in the after-body thus insuring that the torpedo Will. travel more eectivcly at the desired depth.

lVitliout further analysis, the foregoing Vwill so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting certain features that` from the stand Joint ol the )rior art.v

Jfairly constitute essential characteristics oft the Generic or s aecilic aspects this invention. and therefore. such ada atatlons should and are intended to be coinprelicnded Within the meaning and range of equivalency of closing said spindle and spring and means Within the hydrostatic chamber adapted to be removed for setting the mechanism.

2. In a torpedo, in combination. a mear beij forming with the shell of the torpedo a hydrostatic chamber and provided with a central opening, a diaphragm and piston closing said opening, a member secured to the u `#per part of said first member having iincgrally formed flange and an air tight cap across the uppei' part of said flange, a spindle and spring Within said flange, said spindle having adjustable connection with said piston for varying the tension on said spring, said parts being enclosed in an aii tight casing.

Signed at Newportq Rhode Island, this 5th day ot January, 1922.

FRANK E. P. UBERROTH. 

